Compartmented box

ABSTRACT

A compartmented box is folded from a one-piece blank to provide a pair of similar box sections, each box section comprising a rectangular base and four upstanding walls integral with the base, the four upstanding walls of each box section including a first end wall defining an end wall of the box, a second end wall hingedly connected along its upper edge to the corresponding wall of the other box section, and a pair of side walls extending between the end walls, said hingedly connected walls being secured in face to face relation and constituting a doublethickness partition defining a pair of adjacent box compartments.

States Patent [191 Ullltfi Wheeler Aug. 13, 1974 1 COMPARTMENTED BOX[22] Filed: Nov. 9, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 197,029

[52] US. Cl. 229/15, 229/27 .[51] Int. Cl .t B6511 3/24, 365d 5/48 [58]Field of Search 229/27, 44 C, 44 B, 15, 229/37 E [56] References CitedUNITED STATES PATENTS 1,559,834 ll/1925 Zalkind 229/37 E 1,812,1266/1931 Walker 229/15 2,006,822 7/1935 Andrews 229/44 CB 3,058,64310/1962 Wilson 229/15 3,215,332 11/1965 Bess ..229/37RX PrimaryExaminer-Davis T. Moorhead Attorney, Agent, or FirmRidout & Maybee [57]ABSTRACT A compartmented box is folded from a one-piece blank to providea pair of similar box sections, each box section comprising arectangular base and four upstanding walls integral with the base, thefour upstanding walls of each box section including a first end walldefining an end wall of the box, a second end wall hingedly connectedalong its upper edge to the corresponding wall of the other box section,and a pair of side walls extending between the end walls, said hingedlyconnected walls being secured in face to face relation and constitutinga double-thickness partition defining a pair of adjacent boxcompartments.

2,179,830 ll/l939 Pfundstein et a1. 229/37 E 2,927,721 3/1960 Thatcher229/27 5 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures COMPARTMENTED BOX This inventionrelates to boxes, and particularly to a compartmented box capable ofbeing folded from a onepiece blank.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a box ofsimple construction suitable for the packing of perishable fruits andlike commodities which are especially vulnerable to damage duringshipment or storage. Another object of the invention is provide aone-piece blan a one-piece blank from which such a box can beconstructed using standard equipment.

According to the invention there is provided a compartmented box foldedfrom a one-piece blank and comprising a pair of similar box sections,each box section comprising a rectangular base and four upstanding wallsintegral with the base, the four upstanding walls of each box sectionincluding a first end wall defining an end wall of the box, a second endwall hingedly connected along its upper edge to the corresponding wallof the other box section, and a pair of side walls extending between theend walls, said hingedly connected walls being secured in face to facerelation and constituting a double-thickness partition defining a pairof adjacent box compartments.

In order that the invention may be readily understood one embodimentthereof will now be described by way of example with reference to theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a one-piece blank in accordance with the invention forforming a box suitable for packing bananas;

FIG. 2 shows the configuration of a box at one stage of its formationfromthe blank shown in FIG. 1, and

FIG. 3 is a partly broken away perspective view of the completed boxwith tray lid.

The completed box shown in FIG. 3 is constructed from corrugatedcardboard or like material and comprises a pair of similar box sections10, 11 separated by a partition 12 of double-thickness. Each box sectioncomprises a rectangular, in this case square, base 13 (or 13') with fourupstanding walls 14, 15, 16, 17 (or 14, 15, 16', 17") integral with thebase. The walls 14, 14 from the end walls of the box and are formed withcut out openings 18, 18' which enable the box to be lifted easily andalso serve as ventilation openings for the contents of the box.Additional ventilation openings may be provided if necessary. The sidewalls 15, 15 and 16, 16' of the box sections provide the sides of thebox. The walls 17, 17' are hingedly connected along their common edge 19and are secured in face to face relation by complementary locking tabs20, 20 and slots 21, 21' formed in these walls. The bottom of the box isprovided with a peripheral rim 22 surrounding the base of each boxsection.

It will be seen that the box section bases 13, 13' defining the bottomof the box lie in a common horizontal plane which is spaced from thefloor by the depth of the rim 22. The upper edge of the box lies in asecond horizontal plane, and each of the side walls 15, 15', 16, 16'

ing peripheral flange 25 which fits onto the top of the box.

Further features of the box construction will be better appreciated fromthe following description of the method by which it is formed.

The box blank shown in FIG. 1 is of rectangular shape and is formed witha pair of longitudinal fold lines 26, 27 defining a medial strip and apair of edge strips of equal width. The medial strip is divided by threeequally spaced transverse fold lines 28, 29, 30 into four panels ofequal width, namely a pair of end panels 31, 32 and a pair ofintermediate panels 33, 34. A first longitudinal cut 35 bisects the endpanel 31, and a second longitudinal cut 36 bisects the end panel 32 andthe adjacent intermediate panel 34. The other intermediate panel 33 isbisected by a longitudinal fold line 37 which is aligned with thelongitudinal cuts 35 and 36. The medial strip is extended at one end toprovide a glue flap 38, which is in fact bisected by the cut 36. Theedge strips are each divided into four rectangular flap members bytransverse cuts 38, 40, 41, and 39', 40', 41, the flap members beinghingedly connected to the panels 31, 32, 33, 34 at the fold lines 26,27.

A second pair of longitudinal fold lines 42, 43 extending along the edgestrips providing in each of the flap members a narrow region, such asthe region 44, adjacent to the medial strip, and a region, such as theregion 45, of greater area. Each of the narrow regions 44 is adapted toprovide in the completed box a flange contiguous with the lower edge ofa respective upstanding wall and extending upwardly therefrom, theflanges forming the peripheral rim 22 to the base of each box section.The regions 45 are adapted to provide the main support area forming thebox bottom as hereinafter described.

The end panel 32 is formed with a pair of openings as shown to providethe ventilation openings 18, 18 in the completed box. The intermediatepanel 33 is formed with a pair of slots 21, 21' and a pair of stampedout tabs 20, 20 to provide the locking tabs and slots shown in FIG. 3.Each of the panels 31 and 34 has a cut away area 31', 34 to provide thestepped upper edges of the side walls of the box.

is formed with a stepped upper edge providing a pair of edge portionsand an intermediate portion 23. The four intermediate portions 23 lie ina common horizontal plane between said first and second planes, anddefine a level to which the box may be filled. The lid 24 is aconventional inverted tray shaped lid having a depend- To form the boxthe rectangular blank is first folded at right angles about thetransverse fold lines 28, 29, 30 and the glue flap 38 is glued orotherwise secured to the opposite end of the medial strip, i.e., to theedge of the panel 31. The resultant configuration is a partially splittube as shown in FIG. 2.

The ends of the tube are formed by the sets of flap members, which arefirst folded inwards about the fold lines 26, 27, and then at rightangles about the fold lines 42, 43. Each end of the tube is then closedby superposing one pair of flap members on the other pair and securingthe superposed flap members by staples. The

closed ends of the tube are thus adapted to constitute the bottoms ofthe box sections.

The tube is next folded about the fold line 37 to bring the two ends ofthe tube into alignment, the two halves of the panel 33 thus beingbrought into face to face relation and secured together by the lockingtabs and slots 20, 20, 21, 21', to form the partition 12.

The box is particularly well suited for the packing of bananas and otherperishable fruits. The construction of the box, which is suitably ofcorrugated cardboard, is such that a plurality of such boxes can bestacked in a column without damaging the contents since the partitions12 of the boxes support the greatest part of the load. In thisconnection it is important to note that the partition 12 is of doublethickness, and being integral with the remainder of the box cannot beremoved, displaced or readily crushed.

Other important advantages of the box construction may be noted asfollows:

i. the steppedupper edges of the box sides define a level to which thebox may be filled without the risk that pressure exerted on the lid willbe transmitted to the contents of the box;

ii. the locking tabs and slots by which the box sec tions are securedavoid the need for staples or other metal fastenings which might beinjurious to the fruit;

iii. the peripheral rim 22 at the bottom of the box enables the bases ofthe box sections to be inset so that they are cushioned.

iv. the construction is such that the box can be produced on standardcutting, slotting and creasing equipment and handled as any ordinary RSCbox; erection and securing are simple and fast, and a box ofconsiderable strength is very economical to produce.

To facilitate stacking and palletizing the box preferably consists oftwo identical square box sections. If necessary, liners of paper,polyethylene or other suitable materials may be added.

What I claim as my inventionis:

1. A compartmented box folded from a one-piece blank and comprising:

a pair of similar box sections, each box section comprising arectangular base and four upstanding walls integral with the base,

the base of each box section being formed by four folding flapsconstituting integral extensions of the respective upstanding walls, onepair of flaps being superposed on the other pair of flaps and securedthereto,

the four upstanding walls of each box section including a first end walldefining an end wall of the box, a second end wall hingedly connectedalong its upper edge to the corresponding wall of the other box section,and-a pair of side walls extending between the end walls, said hingedlyconnected walls being secured in face to face relation and constitutinga double-thickness partition defining a pair of adjacent boxcompartments, and

said rectangular bases lying in a first horizontal plane and definingthe box bottom, the upper edges of the end walls lying in a secondhorizontal plane spaced a predetermined distance from the first plane,each of said side walls having a stepped upper edge providing a pair ofedge portions contiguous with the upper edges of the end walls and lyingin the second plane, and an intermediate edge portion, the intermediateedge portions lying in a third horizontal plane between the first andsecond planes.

2. A compartmented box according to claim 1, wherein the bases of thebox sections are square.

3. A compartmented box folded from a one-piece blank and comprising:

a pair of similar box sections, each box section comprising arectangular base and four upstanding walls integral with the base,

the base of each box section being formed by four folding flapsconstituting integral extensions of the respective upstanding walls, onepair of flaps being superposed on the other pair of flaps and securedthereto,

the four upstanding walls of each box section including a first end walldefining an end wall of the box, a second end wall hingedly connectedalong its upper edge to the corresponding wall of the other box section,and a pair of side walls extending between the end walls, said hingedlyconnected walls being secured in face to face relation and constitutinga double-thickness partition defining a pair of adjacent boxcompartments,

each flap being formed with a crease defining a main support area and anarrow flange contiguous with the lower edge of the respective wall andextending upwardly therefrom to provide a peripheral rim to v the baseof each box section, and

said rectangular bases lying in a first horizontal plane and definingthe box bottom, the upper edges of the end walls lying in a secondhorizontal plane spaced a predetermined distance from the first plane,each of said side walls having a stepped upper edge providing a pair ofedge portions contiguous with the upper edges of the end walls and lyingin the second plane, and an intermediate edge portion, the intermediateedge portions lying in a third horizontal plane between the first andsecond planes.

4. A compartmented box folded from a one-piece blank and comprising:

a pair of similar box sections, each box section comprising arectangular base and four upstanding walls integral with the base,

the base of each box section being formed by four folding flapsconstituting integral extensions of the respective upstanding walls, onepair of flaps being superposed on the other pair of flaps and securedthereto,

the four upstanding walls of each box section includ ing a first endwall defining an end wall of the box, a second end wall hingedlyconnected along its upperedge to the corresponding wall of the other boxsection, and a pair of side walls extending between the end walls, saidhingedly connected walls being secured in face to face relation andconstituting a double-thickness partition defining a pair of adjacentbox compartments,

each flap being formed with a crease defining a main support area and anarrow flange contiguous with the lower edge of the respective wall andextending upwardly therefrom to provide a peripheral rim to the base ofeach box section,

each of said hingedly connected end walls being formed with a lockingtab positioned to engage a slot in the other end wall for securing saidend walls in face to face relation, and

said rectangular bases lying in a first horizontal plane and definingthe box bottom, the upper edges of the end walls lying in a secondhorizontal plane spaced a predetermined distance from the first plane,each of said side walls having a stepped upper edge providing a pair ofedge portions contiguous with the upper edges of the end walls and lyingin the second plane, and an intermediate edge portion, the intermediateedge portions lyingin a third horizontal plane between the first andsecond planes.

5. A compartmented box according to claim 4, wherein at least said firstend walls or said side walls are formed with ventilating openings.

1. A compartmented box folded from a one-piece blank and comprising: apair of similar box sections, each box section comprising a rectangularbase and four upstanding walls integral with the base, the base of eachbox section being formed by four folding flaps constituting integralextensions of the respective upstanding walls, one pair of flaps beingsuperposed on the other pair of flaps and secured thereto, the fourupstanding walls of each box section including a first end wall definingan end wall of the box, a second end wall hingedly connected along itsupper edge to the corresponding wall of the other box section, and apair of side walls extending between the end walls, said hingedlyconnected walls being secured in face to face relation and constitutinga double-thickness partition defining a pair of adjacent boxcompartments, and said rectangular bases lying in a first horizontalplane and defining the box bottom, the upper edges of the end wallslying in a second horizontal plane spaced a predetermined distance fromthe first plane, each of said side walls having a stepped upper edgeproviding a pair of edge portions contiguous with the upper edges of theend walls and lying in the second plane, and an intermediate edgeportion, the intermediate edge portions lying in a third horizontalplane between the first and second planes.
 2. A compartmented boxaccording to claim 1, wherein the bases of the box sections are square.3. A compartmented box folded from a one-piece blank and comprising: apair of similar box sections, each box section comprising a rectangularbase and four upstanding walls integral with the base, the base of eachbox section being formed by four folding flaps constituting integralextensions of the respective upstanding walls, one pair of flaps beingsuperposed on the other pair of flaps and secured thereto, the fourupstanding walls of each box section including a first end wall definingan end wall of the box, a second end wall hingedly connected along itsupper edge to the corresponding wall of the other box section, and apair of side walls extending between the end walls, said hingedlyconnected walls being secured in face to face relation and constitutinga double-thickness partition defining a pair of adjacent boxcompartments, each flap being formed with a crease defining a mainsupport area and a narrow flange contiguous with the lower edge of therespective wall and extending upwardly therefrom to provide a peripheralrim to the base of each box section, and said rectangular bases lying ina first horizontal plane and defining the box bottom, the upper edges ofthe end walls lying in a second horizontal plane spaced a predetermineddistance from the first plane, each of said side walls having a steppedupper edge providing a pair of edge portions contiguous with the upperedges of the end walls and lying in the second plane, and anintermediate edge portion, the intermediate edge portions lying in athird horizontal plane between the first and second planes.
 4. Acompartmented box folded from a one-piece blank and comprising: a pairof similar box sections, each box section comprising a rectangular baseand four upstanding walls integral with the base, the base of each boxsection being formed by four folding flaps constituting integralextensions of the respective upstanding walls, one pair of flaps beingsuperposed on the other pair of flaps and secured thereto, the fourupstanding walls of each box section including a first end wall definingan end wall of the box, a second end wall hingedly connected along itsupper edge to the corresponding wall of the other box section, and apair of side walls extending between the end walls, said hingedlyconnected walls being secured in face to face relation and constitutinga double-thickness partition defining a pair of adjacent boxcompartments, each flap being formed with a crease defining a mainsupport area and a narrow flange contiguous with the lower edge of therespective wall and extending upwardly therefrom to provide a peripheralrim to the base of each box section, each of said hingedly connected endwalls being formed with a locking tab positioned to engage a slot in theother end wall for securing said end walls in face to face relation, andsaid rectangular bases lying in a first horizontal plane and definingthe box bottom, the upper edges of the end walls lying in a secondhorizontal plane spaced a predetermined distance from the first plane,each of said side walls having a stepped upper edge providing a pair ofedge portions contiguous with the upper edges of the end walls and lyingin the second plane, and an intermediate edge portion, the intermediateedge portions lying in a third horizontal plane between the first andsecond planes.
 5. A compartmented box according to claim 4, wherein atleast said first end walls or said side walls are formed withventilating openings.